‘Art from the Great Wars’ exhibit opens at DeKalb’s Art Box June 29

DEKALB, Ill. — “Art from the Great Wars,” an exhibition of original art and significant posters from World War I and World II by local collector John Wright, will be on display at The Art Box, 308 E. Lincoln Hwy., in downtown DeKalb, June 29-July 26. The opening reception is from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 29.

With a bachelor of science in history degree from Northern Illinois University, Wright has been collecting war posters since 1970. This August marks 100 years since the World Wars began. Historians are beginning to believe World War I and II are actually one war that had a 20-year remission. Not only is this an exhibition of war content illustrating propaganda and the horrors, but also an exhibition honoring artists who have created thought-provoking visual impact through their talent, which may inspire others to use their talents for what they believe in and to accommodate a need wherever possible. Wright has more than 1,000 examples of illustrated war posters.

On display will be original newspaper editorial illustrations that show the actual blue-line drawings with India ink over drawings, white tempera masking, signatures and dedications. Many of these illustrations are from big-name newspapers. Three of the artists — Shoemaker, Lute Pease and Jerry Doyle — are Pulitzer Prize winners for their work.

Also showing are original posters from contests, two that have been on display at the New York Museum of Modern Art, and one from a high school student. There will be printed posters that show illustrations of meticulous line work dedicated to honoring heroes … and promotions for buying savings bonds; and posters designed by name artists, including Grant Wood, John Stuart Curry, Ben Shawn and Thomas Hart Benton.

In this collection are several original poster art pieces by Peter Helck, who illustrated for the Saturday Evening Post. He was the 10th illustrator to be inducted in the Illustrator’s Hall of Fame, and also an original painting by James Montgomery Flagg for the American Red Cross.

The Art Box is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday. For more information, contact Daniel Grych at (815) 758-0313 or e-mail dan@dekalbgallery.com.